State Councilor meets Yale President

[photopress:Richard_Levin_Chen_Zhilli_1.jpg,full,alignright]In Beijing State Councilor Chen Zhili met with the President of America’s Yale University, Richard Levin. She said she hoped Yale would strengthen cooperation with China and that she appreciated the exchanges and cooperation between Yale and Chinese universities in recent years which had resulted in some remarkable achievements. She said she hoped Yale would expand cooperation with China especially in such fields as high-level scientific research and joint training of senior personnel.

Richard Levin mentioned several collaboration programs between Yale and China such as the world scholar program on bio-science and the university leaders program. He said Yale was excited at having such joint programs with China.

[photopress:Yungyale_1.jpg,full,alignright]All of which deserves some historic background. A ceremony to honor Yung Wing, the first Chinese student to graduate from Yale University 150 years ago, was held at Yale University. A bronze statue of Yung, donated by China’s southern city of Zhuhai, the hometwon of Yung, was unveiled at the ceremony.

Linda Lorimer, vice president of the Yale University, said, ‘This is a magnificent day for Yale as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of graduation of Yung Wing. He is a role model for all our students and all of us today.’

After getting his degree Yung Wing did not rest on his laurels. He was the initiator of a plan of send 120 young Chinese students to study in the United States. He was also involved in efforts to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a republic in China.

Yung came to the United States in 1847 and went to the Yale University three years later and graduated in 1854.

In a sense, Richard Levin, president of Yale, is carrying on the work of Yung Wing. Yale’s 17 faculties and colleges have established cooperative links with 45 colleges, universities or research institutes in 16 cities. And as Levin said, well-established student exchanges had become a cornerstone of Sino-US relations. Richard Levin said Yale and Fudan were negotiating cooperation programs in sectors like public health, law and management.

[photopress:Richard_Levin.jpg,full,alignright]This is the sort of stuff you expect from Richard Levin. He was born in 1947 and has been president of Yale University since 1993 which is a very long time to hold such a post.

Richard Levin came to Yale in 1974 and was promoted to Professor of Economics and Management at the Yale School of Management in 1982.

What he has done as president is bring Yale out of a small amount of doldrums. Yale’s admissions standards and academic prestige have increased since he has been in charge. Yale has been transforming itself into a truly global university, with a new flagship program for undergraduates in Beijing and a dramatic increase in international work/study programs.
Sources: Xinhua and for history China.org and on Richard Levin China.org plus research.

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